Do you ever isolate yourself when feeling down?

I don't think you're crazy.  I am not bp or depressed either and I can find plenty to keep me busy right inside my home for days on end.  I do tend to sleep a lot though but it's cause I am so used to having a schedule that doesn't allow sleeping late.  So when I get a chance, I enjoy not having to do anything at a set time.  It is wonderful to get up when you feel like it and do whatever you want whenever you want.  As long as you enjoy your time (not avoiding anyone or anything and not depressed or having bad thoughts) tell your family and friends to do a little less minding your business.  Then relax and enjoy!!!  I'm jealous!!!!

My cave, thats what I call it.  Some might say I'm hiding, I'm just comfortable here.  Its safe here.  I don't have to be "on" like you do in public. 

Unless you start to feel trapped, I wouldn't worry if your crazy.  We all are, aren't we? 

Force a 5 min walk.  Down the street and back.  Perhaps it will remove any guilt from staying inside.

:)

Hi,

I'm Bp1. I love to stay at home and when I'm down I enjoy it even more. It's cold outside and it's comfortable inside. When I feel down I don't like to be exposed to other people because they tend to ask how I am or to mentioned that I'm more introspective and quite. My corner is the only place where I can be myself. If you don't feel bad then try to get the best out of the situation. Of course if you feel that something is wrong then contact your pdoc.

Kaninchen

I do it all the time. As a matter of fact I've been doing it for the past couple of months. Bipolar has been a part of my life for about 15 years. I have also been battling Cancer for 13 yrs. From all the chemo treatment I have developed COPD, and Epilepsy. As far as my state of mind I find myself going inward. It seems so much easier to cope! Before I know it I haven't left the house in a week!

If you are bipolar, when down episodes occur, you only want your own company and thus avoid going out at all costs. Avoidance being a key word. Comments from others, family or friends, though perhaps sincere, are irritating. Only the person suffering bipolar knows how hard it can be to get through the down stages of the cycle or engage in conversation. When I am on a downer, I am totally disinterested in everyone else but, everything that is said to me is registered. As far as family/others making you feel crazy, I have been through that too but, you are not crazy, you are just on a higher level of intellect than most others. Remember, bipolar is just another clinical word and it does not label you in any way, shape or form. Just try to manage your life and activities better than you have been doing and, if by chance, you "connect" with someone else who has been diagnosed as bipolar, then good for you as that can only be positive.

David

Australia

I feel the same way and i do not believe any thing is wrong with me. i never feel lonely. Being by your self is sometimes the best thing ever. your self is the best company. I understand how you feel, you are not crazy

It's really common with bipolar depression to isolate. I used to do this all the time when I was very sick. It has helped me to recognize that I was doing this and to plan ahead ways to get out of isolation very early on. Here are some of the things on my list.

Call a friend and talk for 5-10 minutes.

Get out of the house, if only for a few minutes to go for a walk.

Attend my regular groups (Toastmasters, church, support group).

Make a business call. (This is the hardest because it is the biggest step into the real world.)

Go swimming and talk to other swimmers in the dressing room.

When I feel like isolating, it helps to do small things that get me out of the house, not all-day things that may break the isolation but exhaust me at the same time. If I act as soon as I notice myself isolating, it usually doesn't take much to break the cycle. If I have been isolating for a long time, it takes more effort to break the pattern.

Isolation is both a symptom and a trigger of depression. When we change the pattern, it can help us get away from depressive thoughts that are easier to think when we are alone. It is also dangerous. if we are feeling suicidal, to isolate. Days of isolation can also add up so that we lose much or all of our social life. We soon start to feel terribly alone with our illness.

Of course, your family is worried about you. Becoming isolated is obviously not what you do when you are feeling well. It would, of course, be nice if they didn't call you "crazy" but that may be the best they can do at this time. You're certainly not "crazy" but you are showing signs of an illness that is serious. They may not know how to respond to this, but perhaps they could help you at these times, if you ask them to do something simple to get unstuck from the isolation.

Don't forget, too, that many people with bipolar disorder have tried to go without medication, and it hasn't been productive in the long haul. You might want to read some of the blogs on this site and see for yourself what others say about medications and their usefulness in getting to feel better.

DocJane www.BeyondBipolar.com

yes

hahahahahahahaha

There is a difference in living alone and isolating yourself.

Some times I do but most of the the time I make mysafe getout around others.

I live alone. I've been in the house since Dec.19th. I'm not answering the phone either. I just couldn't face Christmas this year! I'm sure my family thinks I'm a wretched person but the overwhelm prevented me from participating. Now when I think about snapping out of it and moving around... I am feeling overwhelmed about all the apologies I have to make to family and friends. Help!!! I'm stuck!  Recently diagnosed.

I find myself staying at home when I feel depressed or overwhelmed.  I still go to work and put on showtime, but when I come home I have to be alone.

i feel very isolated and alone and am having it hard to even get out of bed or even go to the groceries.  I am frightened I am getting very much sicker

I am so frightened I am starting to sleep the day and am only getting 2 hours of sleep a night.  I am tterrified will get mania again and end up in the hospital.  Can anyone give me some advice please?  I am in a desperate state.      thank you so  much.

yes all the time  People are so heartless and hateful no matter where you go

I can't even go do errands, laundry or go to the movies without this constant

uncomfortable feeling  I usually stay to myself, get done as quick as possible and

I don't try to initiate conversation anymore  It's bad enough there is too much

social demand on a job and at the moment I am not so at least that is off of me

I live in a seniors community now because of my husband's disability and all they have

done is spy on me and put theirselves in my path to provoke responses out of me

There has definitely been trouble on the horizon and I cannot understand it but I

do have theories  So, I don't go out anymore than what I have to   I feel I need a

safe space to keep my stress down

I HAVE BIPOLAR AND I ISOLATE ALL THE TIME, RIGHT NOW I AM FEELING REALLY ALONE AND DONT WANT TO END UP BACK IN THE HOSPITAL.  I HATE TALKING TO PEOPLE AND AM HORRIBLE TO MY FAMILY.